One day, five icons of Bali. This private Ubud tour strings together big-name sights without the stress of self-driving, with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned car, and guided timing built around your comfort—plus the photo-famous jungle swing.
What I like most is the smooth pacing, with guides such as Mr. Widi (and others like Dedek and Ketut) keeping the day organized so you can actually enjoy each stop instead of racing through it. I also appreciate that the package covers the key costs: bottled water, lunch, and the included entrance fees for the attractions on the route.
One consideration: it is a long day (about 10 hours) and it depends on good weather, so wear shoes you can stand in and plan for outdoor time that can shift if conditions change.
In This Review
- Key things that make this tour worth your time
- A private Ubud highlights day that saves your energy
- Tegenungan Waterfall: the morning photo stop (and timing reality)
- Kintamani Highlands views: Mount Batur and Lake Batur from above
- Fun Volcanic Hot Spring near Batur: hot water, lake views
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: temples and long-tailed macaques
- Bongkasa Village jungle swing: where the photos come from
- Lunch and entrance fees: what your $65 actually covers
- Price vs. time saved: when this tour is a good deal
- How to make the day feel smooth, not rushed
- Who this Ubud tour is best for
- Should you book this tour?
- FAQ
- Is hotel pickup and return transfer included?
- Is this tour private or shared?
- How long is the tour?
- What’s included besides the main attractions?
- Can I extend the tour time?
- What if weather is bad or I need to cancel?
Key things that make this tour worth your time

- Hotel pickup + return transfers so you skip the logistics hassle
- Jungle swing ticket included for the signature Ubud photo moment
- Guided route to major highlights without self-drive risk or delays
- Monkey Forest Sanctuary visit with temples and long-tailed macaques
- Batur hot spring time with panorama views of Lake Batur and the Abang Hills
- Lunch plus attraction entry fees baked into the experience
A private Ubud highlights day that saves your energy

Ubud is the kind of place where renting a scooter can feel tempting—until you hit traffic, wrong turns, and parking stress. This tour is designed for the opposite approach: you get collected from your hotel, then you ride with an English-speaking driver in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
The value here is not only the number of stops. It is the fact that the route is handled as one connected plan, so you are not spending your day managing transfers. You also do not have to “wing it” with ticket lines or trying to coordinate with other groups. If you care about seeing the classic sights but still want breathing room, this kind of structure is a big win.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.
Tegenungan Waterfall: the morning photo stop (and timing reality)

Tegenungan Waterfall is a well-known Ubud-area waterfall in the Tegenungan Kemenuh area. On this tour, you start there first, which usually makes sense: waterfalls are best before the heat ramps up and before the crowds thicken.
A few practical notes:
- Expect some walking and uneven ground. Bring footwear with grip.
- Waterfall viewing can involve mist and slippery spots, so keep your phone secure and your camera strap handy.
- Admission is listed as not included in one part of the route description, but the tour package itself includes all entrance fees for attraction stops. In other words, you should not be hunting for extra tickets on-site—just confirm the inclusion when booking.
If you are booking for photos, go ready: bright light, fast-moving water, and lots of background options.
Kintamani Highlands views: Mount Batur and Lake Batur from above
Kintamani is the highland area near the active Mount Batur. This is where the scenery shifts from forest greens into dramatic volcano-and-caldera views. You get time here to take in the plateau atmosphere and enjoy the view of the caldera and shimmering lake.
Why this stop works on a guided day:
- You do not have to plot viewpoints yourself.
- Your driver can manage the timing so you do not feel stuck at each location.
- The ride gives you a break from the heat and traffic chaos.
The route also repeats Kintamani later in the day. That sounds odd on paper, but in practice it often means you are positioned to fit the day around the hot spring timing and daylight. If you want multiple angles and time to breathe, that repetition can be useful. If you hate backtracking, you can ask your driver how they are sequencing the stops that day.
Fun Volcanic Hot Spring near Batur: hot water, lake views

One of the most appealing parts of this tour is the Batur hot spring experience. You are taken to Fun Volcanic Hot Spring, with a setting facing Lake Batur and the Abang Hills. The description also notes a large swimming setup, described as Olympic-size.
Here is what you should plan for:
- Bring swimwear if you have it. A towel is usually handy, even though it is not listed as included.
- Expect that hot springs are timed to how long you want to soak, not a quick dip.
- If you are sensitive to heat, start with the edge areas and work your way in.
The real perk is the view. A hot soak already feels like a reset, and here you get the added bonus of volcano-region panoramas while you relax.
If you have flexibility, this is the stop where you can justify taking your time, even on a full-day tour.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: temples and long-tailed macaques

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is one of the Ubud experiences people come for again and again. It is home to over 1,000 long-tailed macaques and also includes three ancient temples—so it is not just animals in a park. It is a nature-and-spirit space in the middle of Ubud.
You will likely walk through shaded areas and see temple structures tucked into forest paths. To make this smoother:
- Keep bags zipped and avoid carrying loose food.
- Watch for quick, curious macaque behavior. You do not need to panic, but you do need to be alert.
- Dress for stairs and uneven paths. It is not a flat stroll.
Also, this stop is listed for about an hour. That is enough time to see the key areas without turning it into a full half-day event.
Bongkasa Village jungle swing: where the photos come from

This is the headline activity for anyone booking for Instagram-ready moments. The jungle swing stop takes you to Bongkasa Village, described as a lush valley setting with tropical trees and panoramic views.
What you get for the price:
- The jungle swing ticket is included.
- You get time on site (about an hour listed for the stop).
- You are not scrambling to find the right operator or pay extra for the signature ride.
A quick reality check: swinging setups can vary by day and by how crowded the area feels. Plan to do the simple things right—arrive ready, follow staff instructions, and do not rush your photos if you want different angles.
If you are the type who loves a good before/after pose, this is the stop that will pay off your booking most directly.
Lunch and entrance fees: what your $65 actually covers

At $65 per person, the tour is priced like an all-in value day rather than a bare-bones sightseeing ride. The included items matter because they remove small, annoying costs that add up quickly:
Included:
- Hotel pickup and return transfers
- Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking driver
- Bottled water
- Jungle swing ticket
- Lunch
- All entrance fees at the attraction stops
Not included:
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities (optional)
This is a smart approach if you want to avoid the expense whack-a-mole. It is also a nice comfort for families or anyone who does not want to manage tickets and entry procedures while on vacation.
Price vs. time saved: when this tour is a good deal

If you were to self-drive or piece together multiple private stops, the costs usually multiply: fuel, parking stress, guide time, and entrance fees you still have to pay. This tour packages the logistics and the major attractions into one bill.
For $65, the value is strongest if you:
- Want multiple Ubud-area icons in one day
- Prefer a driver who handles the timing
- Care about a specific photo activity (the jungle swing)
- Do not want to negotiate entry fees or plan the route yourself
If you already have a solid driver lined up and only want one or two stops, then this kind of full-route day might feel like you are paying for time you do not need.
How to make the day feel smooth, not rushed
Even when a tour is well planned, Ubud is still Ubud: short distances can involve slow roads, and famous spots can bring photo crowds. The way to keep things pleasant is simple.
My go-to advice:
- Ask your driver about stop order if you are chasing fewer interruptions. One useful tip from past experiences: if there is an early add-on stop that feels more like a shop than a sightseeing moment, you can ask to skip it and start with the scenic highlights.
- Use the driver’s local eye for lunch timing. Lunch is included, and the order can affect whether you eat before the busiest sections of the day.
- Keep your expectations realistic about time at each location. This tour gives about an hour per main stop, so choose what matters most to you: photos at the waterfall, temple viewing at Monkey Forest, or deeper soaking at the hot spring.
A good driver turns a checklist day into a friendlier rhythm, and this tour emphasizes that kind of pacing.
Who this Ubud tour is best for
This experience fits best if you want the classic Ubud set pieces without self-driving stress.
It is especially good for:
- Couples and small groups who want privacy and comfort
- First-timers to Ubud who want the big highlights with clear structure
- Anyone who wants the jungle swing experience without hunting operators
- People who prefer guided timing over DIY planning
It might be less ideal if you dislike long car days or if you want to linger for hours at each stop. At about 10 hours total, this is a full-day sampler.
Should you book this tour?
Book it if you want an easy, all-in plan for Ubud’s top sights: Monkey Forest, Tegenungan Waterfall, Kintamani views, Batur hot springs, and the Bongkasa jungle swing—all handled by a driver with included entry and lunch. The money makes more sense when you value convenience and want the “tickets handled” part to be done for you.
Skip it or reconsider if you prefer a slower pace, or if you already know you will only enjoy one or two of these stops. In that case, a shorter route might fit better.
If you are flexible with timing and you want a day that runs on schedule instead of trial-and-error, this is a strong choice.
FAQ
Is hotel pickup and return transfer included?
Yes. Hotel pickup and return transfers are included, along with private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Is this tour private or shared?
It is private. Only your group participates.
How long is the tour?
The duration is about 10 hours and 1 minute.
What’s included besides the main attractions?
Bottled water, lunch, a jungle swing ticket, and all entrance fees at the attraction stops are included. An English-speaking driver is also included.
Can I extend the tour time?
Yes. You can extend your travel time within the listed service areas for USD 5 per extra hour.
What if weather is bad or I need to cancel?
The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.
























